Younis Khan continues to torment Sri Lanka as Pakistan take complete control at Lunch on Day 2, 1st Test

Younis Khan took off from where he left on Day One of the First Test and is marching towards his double century at the stroke of Lunch. Pakistan batsmen were in complete control of proceedings and Sri Lankan bowlers, barring the outstanding Rangana Herath wilted under the Galle heat and were made to toil by Younis, Asad Shafiq and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Herath took the wicket of Shafiq, the only wicket that Pakistan lost in the session after the the young batsman made a breezy 75. Ahmed has made an aggressive start to his innings and has lent good support to his illustrious partner.

Pakistan’s strategy was to see out the early overs and Younis definitely was cautious during this phase. Shafiq was belligerent though. With inside-out shots, cuts, sweeps and lofted drives, the Sri Lankan bowlers had no answer to his onslaught and looked clueless on the field. The magician Herath got the breakthrough after the Younis-Shafiq duo had piled more than 150 runs for the fifth wicket. The ball pitched in the rough area, skidded through and caught Shafiq plumb in front.

Ahmed carried on Shafiq’s hard work and displayed an aggressive intent right through. There was an element of risk in the Pakistan wicketkeeper’s batsman’s strokeplay but the runs were flowing of his blade. Younis got to his 150 with another stylish boundary and continues to be a perpetual thorn in Sri Lanka’s flesh.